Commanded by Evander M. Law it was a part of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

It participated in the Battle of the Wilderness and continued to serve in the Appomattox Campaign that resulted in Confederate Gen. Lee’s surrender and the conclusion of the American Civil War.

Along with the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia, the brigade was paroled and its surviving members returned to Alabama as civilians.

This regiment lost many men in numerous battles such as Cedar Run, the Second Manassas, and Harper’s Ferry.

After being decimated at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862 and again at Fredericksburg on 13 December 1862, it was transferred into the Alabama Brigade in January 1863.

Captain John W. Wiggington, who had been promoted to the rank of Major in the fall of 1864, was the commander of the 48th at their surrender at Appomattox.

During 1863 and 1864 Law was wounded numerous times and acted as division commander on several occasions.

After a serious eye injury at the Battle of Cold Harbor, he was replaced as brigade commander by William Flank Perry on June 3, 1864.

Law was transferred to the Cavalry Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia where he became a division commander.

Risen from Private to Colonel of the 44th Alabama within 5 months; he was finally promoted to Brigadier General on February 21, 1865.